A Poignant Journey into Hearing Parenthood

“Deaf” is a powerful and deeply moving Spanish drama exploring the journey of Ángela, a deaf woman, as she navigates the beautiful yet challenging realities of motherhood. From the moment she discovers her pregnancy, Ángela grapples with profound anxieties about connecting with her hearing daughter, particularly concerning how she’ll respond to her baby’s cries or ensure her safety in a world designed for hearing people. After her daughter’s birth, these fears become daily hurdles.

Yet, with the unwavering support of her partner, Héctor, Ángela bravely confronts a society often lacking in deaf accommodations. The film intimately portrays her struggle, but ultimately celebrates her fierce determination and unique ways of mothering. “Deaf” is a vital and empathetic story, showcasing how love, instinct,

• Anticipation and Anxiety: Ángela, a vibrant deaf woman, is ecstatic about her pregnancy but also consumed by an unspoken fear: how will she connect with her hearing baby without the ability to hear its cries, giggles, or distress? This central anxiety permeates her journey as she prepares for motherhood.

• Birth and Immediate Challenges: Following her daughter’s birth, the film dives into the raw, demanding realities of being a new parent. Ángela faces everyday challenges magnified by a society that often overlooks the needs of the hearing-impaired.

• Héctor’s Unwavering Support: Her partner, Héctor (played by Álvaro Cervantes), stands as a pillar of strength, learning Spanish Sign Language (LSE) and actively collaborating to create a supportive home environment, complete with visual alerts and tactile aids for their baby.

• Societal Barriers and Advocacy: “Deaf” highlights the subtle yet pervasive prejudices Ángela encounters, where her capabilities as a mother are questioned simply due to her deafness. This pushes her to advocate for herself and her family in an often ununderstanding world.

• Finding Her Own Way to Mother: Through these challenges, Ángela (played by Miriam Garlo) discovers her own powerful and unique ways to mother. She learns to trust her instincts, develop unique and profound ways to communicate and bond with her child, and fiercely assert her competence. The film beautifully illustrates that maternal love is a language all its own, spoken through touch, sight, and an undeniable connection that requires no sound.

• The Pregnancy Announcement: Ángela, a deaf woman, and her hearing partner, Héctor, are excitedly expecting their first child, a daughter. However, Ángela’s excitement is tempered by a growing apprehension: how will her deafness impact her ability to hear her baby’s cries, an instinct often deemed fundamental to motherhood?

• Post-Natal Realities: After delivery, Ángela confronts the immediate and ongoing practicalities of being a deaf mother to a hearing baby. She relies on visual alerts, touch, and Héctor’s assistance to respond to her baby’s needs.

• Learning to Adapt: The couple works together to create an inclusive environment, implementing innovative solutions like vibrating alarms for crying and doorbells, and adapting their communication strategies.

• Facing the Hearing World: Ángela increasingly encounters situations in public spaces, medical appointments, and daily interactions where the hearing world is not equipped to accommodate her, leading to moments of frustration and the need for self-advocacy.

• Embracing Maternal Identity: Through these experiences, Ángela journeys towards a powerful self-acceptance. She learns to trust her instincts, develop unique methods of connection with her daughter, and ultimately redefines what it means to be a “complete” mother in a world that often misunderstands deafness.

• Personal Connection and Authenticity: Eva Libertad’s vision is rooted in providing an authentic and empathetic portrayal of a deaf character’s experience, particularly within the context of parenthood. The film aims to bridge understanding between hearing and deaf communities. This is deeply personal, as the film stars her sister, Miriam Garlo, and is inspired by their shared experiences (Journey Into Cinema, Cineuropa).

• Challenging Ableism: Libertad seeks to subtly challenge ableist perspectives and societal norms that often view deafness as a deficit in parenting. She highlights the strengths, adaptability, and unique communication styles that deaf parents bring, consciously moving beyond tropes of “overcoming disability” (Journey Into Cinema, Cineuropa).

• Intimacy and Human Scale: The director focuses on the intimate, day-to-day struggles and triumphs, emphasizing the emotional nuances and the raw reality of new parenthood.

• Visual and Sensory Focus: Given the subject matter, Libertad’s direction prioritizes visual storytelling, relying on Miriam Garlo’s expressive performance, body language, Spanish Sign Language (LSE), and strategic use of sound design (or lack thereof) to immerse the audience in Ángela’s perspective. For instance, the film notably omits sound during its opening titles and uses “Ángela’s sonic point of view” during her emotional breakdowns (Cineuropa, Journey Into Cinema).

• Humor and Heart: Her vision also incorporates moments of warmth, humor, and profound connection, making the characters relatable and the narrative deeply human, rather than purely didactic.

• Deafness and Motherhood: The core of the film explores the multifaceted journey of a deaf woman raising a hearing child, directly addressing anxieties and showcasing the creative adaptations involved.

• Societal Inclusion & Ableism: The narrative subtly, yet powerfully, exposes the systemic barriers and prejudices deaf individuals face in a predominantly hearing world, advocating for greater accessibility and understanding.

• The Power of Communication: “Deaf” celebrates Spanish Sign Language (LSE) and other non-auditory forms of communication, demonstrating that true connection and profound understanding extend far beyond spoken words.

• Maternal Identity & Empowerment: Ángela’s journey is one of self-acceptance, as she redefines what it means to be a “complete” mother, finding immense strength and confidence in her unique identity.

• Unconditional Love & Partnership: At its heart, the film is a universal story of parental love, beautifully complemented by the unwavering support and deep bond between Ángela and Héctor, showcasing how partners can navigate extraordinary challenges together.

• Miriam Garlo’s Award-Winning Performance: As Ángela, Miriam Garlo delivers an acclaimed, award-winning portrayal that is deeply authentic, vulnerable, and profoundly moving, serving as the emotional anchor of the film.

• Álvaro Cervantes’ Powerful Support: Álvaro Cervantes provides a nuanced and empathetic performance as Héctor, earning accolades for his portrayal of a supportive and loving partner.

• Eva Libertad’s Visionary Direction: As a feature debut, Libertad’s sensitive and deeply researched approach to the subject matter has garnered significant praise, including multiple awards for Best First Film and Directing.

• Highly Relevant Social Commentary: The film courageously tackles the underrepresented topic of deaf parents, offering vital visibility and contributing to important conversations about disability representation and inclusion.

• Extensive Festival Acclaim: Its impressive haul of 12 wins and 2 nominations from major international festivals (including Berlin, Guadalajara, Málaga, and Seattle) solidifies its artistic merit and universal appeal.

“Deaf (2025)” has made a resounding impact on the 2025 film festival circuit, securing numerous prestigious awards:

• Berlin International Film Festival 2025: Winner of the C.I.C.A.E. Award (Panorama) and the Panorama Audience Award (Feature Film) for Eva Libertad.

• Málaga Spanish Film Festival 2025: A dominant force, taking home the Golden Biznaga for Best Spanish Film, Silver Biznaga for Best Actress (Miriam Garlo), Silver Biznaga for Best Actor (Álvaro Cervantes), ASECAN Award for Best First Film, Audience Award (Silver Biznaga), and the Feroz Puerta Oscura Award for Best Film.

• Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF) 2025: Awarded the RTBF TV Prize and BeTV Award in the International Competition.

• Guadalajara International Film Festival 2025: Won Best Director for Eva Libertad in the Ibero-America Competition.

• Seattle International Film Festival 2025: Winner of the Ibero American Competition.

These are just some of its 12 wins and 2 nominations to date, underscoring its widespread critical and industry recognition.

Critics have universally lauded “Deaf” as an outstanding and vital feature film debut from Eva Libertad.

• Jonathan Romney for MUBI (February 14, 2025) describes it as “compassionate, sensitive” and “authentically explores the challenges faced by deaf individuals in a hearing world without ever feeling patronising or preachy. A low-key crowd pleaser.”

• Olivia Popp for Cineuropa (February 15, 2025) notes that Libertad “crafts an emotionally complex portrait of how a deaf woman’s perception of the world changes when she gives birth to a daughter,” and highlights how the film “gracefully moves beyond trying to convey the experience of deafness to an abled audience.”

• Jared Abbott for Journey Into Cinema (February 15, 2025) praises it for going “deep on the isolation of hearing loss,” stating it “completely outshines the schmaltzy, Oscar-winning CODA” by keeping the focus on Ángela. He calls it “immersive and profoundly effective filmmaking.”

• Screen Daily (March 24, 2025) states the film “authentically explores the challenges faced by deaf individuals in a hearing world without ever feeling patronising or preachy.”

• Spanish film critics (as reported by Sur in English and Cineuropa on March 24, 2025, regarding the Málaga Film Festival) universally praised the film as “an undeniable crowd-pleaser,” “emotional account,” and “triumph,” acknowledging its crucial social relevance.

“Deaf” has garnered heartfelt and overwhelmingly positive reviews from both audiences and critics.

• Viewers often express deep emotional impact, describing the film as “beautiful,” “powerful,” and “eye-opening” (MUBI user reviews and general sentiment at festivals). Many have commented on gaining a new empathy and understanding for the experiences of deaf parents.

• The film’s realism, the beauty of Spanish Sign Language, and its crucial role in fostering a more inclusive dialogue around diverse family structures and abilities are consistently highlighted.

• Audiences praise its ability to connect with universal themes of maternal love, anxiety, and determination, making it a profoundly moving and impactful watch that resonates long after viewing.

“Deaf (2025)” has achieved notable success in the European arthouse market. Following its premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 15, 2025 (Germany), and its Spanish theatrical release on March 14, 2025, the film has garnered a worldwide gross of $828,068 as of July 18, 2025. This is a strong performance for an independent Spanish drama, indicating significant engagement within the specialized cinema circuits across Europe.

While “Deaf (2025)” is currently enjoying its theatrical run and festival circuit engagements in various countries through mid-2025, a broader streaming release on major VOD platforms is anticipated. Viewers can expect to see it become available for digital rental, purchase, or subscription on platforms likely in late 2025 or early 2026.

“Deaf (2025)” embarked on an extensive international theatrical and festival journey:

• World Premiere: Berlin International Film Festival (Germany) on February 15, 2025.

• Spanish Premiere: Málaga Spanish Film Festival on March 14, 2025, followed by a wider theatrical release across Spain.

• U.S. Premiere: Seattle International Film Festival on May 17, 2025, coinciding with its U.S. theatrical release.

• Australian Premiere: Sydney Film Festival on June 7, 2025.

• UK Premiere: Edinburgh International Film Festival on August 17, 2025.

Additional releases are also planned for countries like Hungary, the Netherlands, and Poland throughout 2025.

• Award-Winning Performances: Witness the acclaimed, profoundly moving acting of Miriam Garlo and Álvaro Cervantes, who bring an undeniable authenticity to their roles.

• Authentic Deaf Representation: It’s a vital, groundbreaking film that offers an honest and empathetic portrayal of the Deaf experience, particularly in the context of parenthood, providing invaluable insight and challenging stereotypes.

• Powerful Emotional Impact: The film connects deeply with universal themes of maternal love, anxiety, and determination, making it a deeply poignant and impactful watch that will resonate long after viewing.

• Acclaimed Directorial Debut: Experience the impressive first feature film from Eva Libertad, who is already recognized across multiple prestigious festivals for her sensitive, nuanced, and compelling storytelling.

• Important Social Commentary: “Deaf” contributes significantly to critical conversations around disability inclusion, advocating for greater understanding, accessibility, and celebrating the diversity of human experience.

“Deaf” stands at the forefront of a crucial trend in contemporary cinema: authentic representation and the crafting of diverse human stories. This movement prioritizes telling narratives from the genuine perspectives of various communities, often casting actors who share those experiences, and exploring their lives with nuance, respect, and depth. Moving beyond outdated or stereotypical portrayals, these films illuminate the full spectrum of human experience, resilience, and unique viewpoints, enriching the cinematic landscape and fostering greater understanding across diverse communities.

The film powerfully aligns with the growing global social trend of advancing inclusivity and recognizing diverse life experiences. There’s an increasing demand for accurate and respectful portrayals of various communities and their lived realities in media. “Deaf” contributes significantly to this movement by showcasing a mother’s journey with a unique sensory perception, with honesty, vulnerability, and strength. It serves as a poignant and educational tool, encouraging a broader understanding of diverse family structures and parenting styles while advocating for societal changes that create truly inclusive environments where all individuals can thrive.

“Deaf (2025)” by Eva Libertad is an essential, award-winning, and profoundly unforgettable film that marks a significant milestone in inclusive cinema. Eva Libertad’s impressive feature debut delivers an authentic and deeply empathetic portrayal of a deaf woman’s journey into motherhood, anchored by Miriam Garlo’s extraordinary, award-winning performance and Álvaro Cervantes’s powerful support.

This film is a triumph of sensitive storytelling, offering a moving and insightful experience that challenges societal norms and celebrates the unique strength of maternal love. Having already garnered immense critical praise and numerous prestigious awards from major international festivals, “Deaf” is not just a film to watch, but a vital and compelling cinematic experience that promises to resonate deeply and spark important conversations. Highly recommended.